PENTICTON, B.C. (September 5, 2015) – Despite a 5-2 third period lead, the Penticton Vees stormed back to tie the visiting Brooks Bandits on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre, ending the teams’ interleague series with a 5-5 draw.
A dramatic and controversial late third-period tying goal from Colton Poolman erased the three-goal Bandits advantage. Brooks never trailed in the game, after dressing the exact same lineup as the previous night, while Penticton substituted two skaters in and started goalie Anthony Brodeur.
It was rookie Bandits forward Josh McKechney (Calgary, AB) who opened the scoring at the 2:15 mark with a low wrist shot from the right-wing faceoff circle that snuck between the pads of Brodeur.
The Vees responded just over three minutes later when Dixon Bowen flung a puck in front from the end boards, which was one-timed in by Easton Brodzinski to make it 1-1.
The game would continue to see-saw, with Derek Lodermeier (Brooklyn Center, MN) potting a power play rebound goal with just over two minutes left in the first, but Demico Hannoun making it 2-2 just over halfway through the second with a point blank shot at the side of the net beating Bandits goalie Josh Davies.
But with just over two minutes left in the period, Hayden Ursulak (Calgary, AB) scored his second of the weekend on a net-front tip to make it 3-2.
In the third, the Bandits would find goals from Jeff Malott (Waterdown, ON) on a net-front scramble, and a nifty Dylan McCrory (Kirkland, PQ) short-side shot on a 2-on-1 rush, to make it 5-2.
But after a fight win by Lodermeier that led to his and Dixon Bowen’s ejection, the Vees scored three quick third period markers.
First, Tyson Jost scored on another odd-man rush, then Scott Conway pulled the Vees within one on a turnaround shot in the slot.
With just a few seconds left in the third, Tyson Jost fired a puck towards the net that caught Davies’ equipment, popped up in the air, and into the crease. The goaltender fell backwards, and two Vees plowed into the crease and propelled the puck into the net. The referee ruled the puck had entered legally, and the Vees were given the tie.
In the first overtime, the Bandits found themselves short for a good chunk of the early going, including a two-man disadvantage, but killed both off. In the second 3-on-3 overtime frame, an Owen Sillinger shot was rung off the side of the net, and a late Taylor Karel chance in the slot was propelled out of play by Brodeur’s equipment, sending the game to the draw.
The Bandits return home for their final preseason game on Tuesday night against the Okotoks Oilers at the Centennial Regional Arena at 7:00 PM. Tickets are just $5 for adults, and free for season ticket holders. Head to tickets.brooksbandits.ca to purchase yours today!